Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and his three co-defendants may contact witnesses and alleged victims in the federal corruption case against them, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

About two weeks ago, Price’s attorney asked U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn to change the conditions of his release so he can communicate with staffers and others who may be witnesses so he can better prepare his defense. The attorney, Billy Ravkind, also said in his motion that Price speaks to numerous people as a county commissioner and that it would be difficult for him to know who might be a witness.

“The defendant deals with hundreds of people on an annual basis, not only with respect to the business of the county of Dallas but otherwise,” Ravkind said in the motion. “These persons no doubt include many who may be witnesses at the defendant’s trial. Although the defendant can speculate about who may be witnesses at his trial, this is largely unknowable, particularly at this very early stage of the proceeding.”

Price, his chief of staff, Dapheny Fain, and two consultants, Kathy Nealy and Christian Campbell, were released on a personal appearance bond after their July 25 arraignment. All have pleaded not guilty, and Price has said he will not resign.

Lynn signed an order Thursday saying that all of the defendants may contact witnesses and alleged victims and may contact each other. The other conditions of their release remain in effect, which include remaining in Texas, providing a DNA sample if asked, seeking permission before moving and not possessing a firearm.

Legal experts say the order is not unusual given that Price is a county commissioner and he doesn’t know who could become a witness in the case. However, one lawyer said Thursday that he tells his clients to let him do the talking when it comes to dealing with witnesses.

“As a criminal defense lawyer, what you’re trying to do is keep your person away from witnesses so nobody can accuse your person of trying to manipulate witnesses or obstruct justice,” said former U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins, who is now a defense attorney. “What I’m generally telling my clients is, ‘You don’t talk to the witnesses, I’ll do that.’”

Price is accused of conspiring with associates to commit bribery and tax evasion.

Ravkind wrote in his recent motion that the no-contact condition hurt Price’s right to prepare a defense and his right to participate in that effort. Part of that defense will include questioning co-defendants and contacting people who know about transactions that are part of the case, Ravkind said.

“Even a mere warning about ‘obstructing justice’ and ‘intimidating witnesses’ may have a chilling effect upon the fundamental right to prepare and present a defense by an accused person presumed by law to be innocent of the charges,” Ravkind said in the motion.

Ravkind, who could not be reached Thursday, noted that many people Price knows have been subpoenaed before the grand jury.

Coggins said he’s not surprised with the judge’s ruling, noting that the government’s witness list won’t be made public until shortly before trial.

But Coggins called it “somewhat unorthodox” for defendants to participate in the questioning of witnesses. He said defense lawyers don’t want to create even the appearance that witnesses are getting together and “cooking up a story” or that a defendant is trying to obstruct justice by coaching witnesses.

To post a comment, log into your chosen social network and then add your comment below. Your comments are subject to our Terms of Service and the privacy policy and terms of service of your social network. If you do not want to comment with a social network, please consider writing a letter to the editor.